Reference pics, as we've all discussed can be a great way to learn. Well, what do you do if you get bored of just copying photos? Or, how can you transist to drawing stuff from your mind better?

I've thought of a few ideas of different ways to use reference photos, some of which I've done, and some I plan to do. One idea is this, say you were going to draw a dragon, get as many pictures of dragons as you can...then, using those pics to get an idea of what makes a dragon look..."right", draw your own dragon in it's own setting and pose.

Another idea is say your using a portrait. Try drawing the same person, but with a different profile. Use tutorials for constructing heads to get the proportions right, use the reference pic, or pics to make sure you get all the facial features right so it looks like the same person. Find tons of pics of a nice model, then try and draw her as accurately as possible, but in your own creative pose.

I think that by following these things, you can help take your art to that, "next level". I believe this will help in the transition from drawing by looking at something, to drawing from your head.